Hoof-pad.



No. 729,941. y PATENTED JUNE 2, 1903.

` W. J. KENT.

HOOP PAD.

` APPLICATION FILED PEB. 8, 1902;.

N0 MODEL. y* 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

F/Gjf.

` INVENTOR;

W'ITNEssEsaa I "f THE NORRIS FETES C0 DHOTG-LITND.

. portion which ordinarily comes within the .fNlED atented fune 2`, 1903.

EErcE.

PATENT WILLIAM J. KENT," OF BROOKLYN, YORK, ASSIGNOR TO REVERE RUBBER COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

-HooF-PAD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 729,941, dated 'J une 2, 1903.

Application lerl February 8, 1902. Serial No. 93,190. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it mutyconccrn:

Be it known that LWILLIAM J. KENT, a citizen of the United-States, residing in the borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, city and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Hoof-Pads, of which the following is a specification.

My invention aims to provide certain improvements in hoof-pads whereby'to effectively reduce concussion, to distribute the pressure in the most advantageous manner upon the horseshoon'to afford most effective protection against slipping, and to give the pad the greatest strengthand stiffness at the points where they are most needed without the use of a surplus of material.

My invention also provides Various improvements in detail, as hereinafter set forth,

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

illustrating embodiments of my invention,-

Figure l is an under side view of a complete pad. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Figs. 3 and 4 are longitudinal and cross sec-l tions on the lines 3 3 and 4 4 of Fig. 1, show:

forming individual heel-cushions which rest under the outer heel portions of the hoof to give these parts a firm and yielding-support without transmitting undue pressure to the frog,and having a hollow central portion forming a bulb or pneumatic cushion which cushions the concussion on striking the pavement and avoids direct pressure upon the central part ofthe hoof, distributing it to the com-V paratively insensitive shell which forms the outside of the hoof. The central hollow bulb and the individual heel-cushions thusassist each other in insuring the most correct distribution of the pressure over the entire sole of the hoof. The hollow 'bulb need not of course cover. the entire sensitive central portion of the hoof, and I- use the'word central in this connection asmeaning not only the -general use.

metal shoe, but also `any part of such inside portion.

Another feature of improvement is the forming of the central hollow bulb with a thickened marginal portion at any Vdesired points along the margin, and preferably around the entire front'and sides of the bulb. The ridge formed by the thickened marginal' portion reinforces the bulb and distributes the effect evenly over the face and edges of the bulb, so as to prevent any tendency to crack along the sides after long use.

Referring tothe accompanying drawings, A indicates a bearing-strip, being that portion of the pad which is confined between the shoe and the hoof. Itis preferably formed of a layer of textile material, with rubber vulcanized thereon, and is preferably reinforced by a backing of leather B, attached thereto .by stitching, cementinfg, or otherwise, this .case extends under the toe and sides of the hoof as vfar backward as the heel projections, so as to adapt it for use with the ordinary three-quarter shoe. bearing-strip, as shown at C, being fastened to the hoof by nails driven through the shoe and bearing-strip in the usual manner. The construction so far is well known and is in It is understood, however, that anyror all of my improvements may without departing from the invention be applied to pads of other general types than that here described.

At the rear of the pad are shown two individual heel-cushions D, projecting downward aconsiderable distance below the surroundingpor'tions of the pad, so as to transmit the first pressure to the corresponding parts of the hoof. In advance of the heel portions and within the steel shoe is the hollow ybulb E, which, as explained, forms a pneumatic cushion and which preferably fills nearly the entire space within the sh`oe,so as `to transmit the pressure received upon its central u The shoe overlies theV portion toits edges and thence to the shell of the hoof.

Preferably the bulb E has a thickened marginal portion F, forming a reinforcing-ridge around its edge or around any desired portion of such edge, as indicated in Figs. l, G, :1nd 7. Preferably in order to secure a rigid snpport against cxtreme lateral movement of the margin of the bulb it is made to fit either exactly or approximately, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, the inner contour of the steel shoe,so that it will be pressed laterally against the inner edge of such slice after it has been somewhat spread by the pressure.

In order to stilien the projecting heel-cushions against forward or backward movement, connecting portions or braces G G may be provided, eac-hof which is preferably7 a web integral with the heel-cushion and the bearing-strip and located preferably at the margin of the hollow bulb, so as to coincide with the ridge F at this point.

Between the heel-cushions D D is a connecLing member H, extending across the heel of the pad and recessed on its under side, as indicated best in Fig. 5, so as to avoid causing the firm pressure upon the frog at this point which is produced upon the heels by the heel-cushions D. The several parts are preferably connected to the leather reinforce B by means of rows of stitching J J' J2, extending along suitable ridges formed on opposite sides of the connecting member H and around the inner contour of the bearing-strip. For the purpose of fastening the rear edge of the bulb to the reinforce a thin ridge ot' materia] N is provided between the rear of the bulb and the heel portion of the pad, and the row of stitching J is formed along such ridge. Preferably, also, the parts are riveted together- 21s, for example, by rivets depressed in the rivet-holes K K.

The bulb E is preferably corrugated to increaseits flexibility and to lessen the liability of slipping. I prefer to make the corrugations extend laterally ofthe pad, as indicated in Figs. l and 7. They may, however, extend. longitudinally, as indicated in Fig. G, or may be omitted en ti rely, asindicated in Fig. 8. At that part ot the bulb which first touches the ground and which receives the maximum pressure I preferably thicken the wall of the bulb, as by a rib L, Figs. 3 and 4, thus giving greatest stiffness at the part which is to receive the greatest pressure, so as to distribute the strain economically and in proportion to the strength of the material. The lateral corrugations serve to distribute the strain to the marginal ridge in the manner of arches.

Iprefer to make the pad open on its upper face above the inside ot' the bulb E and to have the leather reinforce B substantially open over this portion, so as to provide free circulation of air between the chamber within the bulb and the central part of the hoof.

l. The reinforce may be entirely cut away at the center, as indicated inFig. 3, or it may be provided with a series of perforatious M M, as shown in Fig. 4.

' Fig. 5 shows the relative proportions of the projecting parts of the pad as l have designed it, so that the bulb E will receive the first shock on striking the pavement, immediately after which the heel-cushions come into contact therewith, cushioning the blow, and as the bulb is compressed it lets tbe shoe gently down on the pavement and distributes the pressure in the manner previously described to the parts of the hoof which are best able to bear the heavy pressure. The combination of bulb E and heel-cusl1ions D D prod uces a three-point bearing, affording an even support, so as to prevent any wabbling of the hoof, while being su'lliciently yielding to reduce concussions and prevent too great a jarring eiiect upon the hoof. The fact that the two heel-cushions are in the form of separate projections preserves the three-point bearing. Il' there were a single projection extending entirely across the heel, the wear upon the same would be greatest at the ends, so that the middle would after a time project considerably below the ends, forming a rocker support highest in the middle beneath the frog. Thethree-pointsupport,whichis maintained by reason of the separate projections of tny improved pad, is much [irmer than the central bearing which is produced in the old type of pad. By having two comparatively firm points of bearing at the heel and a pneumatic bearing at a point in advance of the heel the hoof comes to rest gradually but firmly and without any lateral movement. The individual heel-cushions afford an effective preventive against slipping, as they are forced into intimate contact with the pavement when the full weight -rests upon them.

Though I have described with great particnlarity of detail certain embodiments of my invention, yet it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described. Various modifications may be made in the proportions and construction of the several features or in the arrangement of the parts without departing from the invention.

1. A hoof-pad having individual heel-cushions and a central hollow bulb forminga pneumatic cushion, said bulb at its rear extending above the lower faces of said heel-cushions, so that it does not contact with the ground at such point.

2. Ahoof-pad havingabearing-strip adapted to lie between a shoe and the sole of the hoof, individual heel-cushions, a central hollow bulb forming a pneumatic cushion, and connecting portions of increased thickness connecting said heel-cushions with said bearing-strip inside the contour of the shoe.

3. A hoof-pad having individual heel-Gushn ICO IIO

ions,andacentralhollow bulb forminga pneumatic cushion, said bulb having a thickened marginal ridge conforming to the inner contour of the shoe, of substantially the same thickness as the shoe, and of a width approximating its thickness, and forming a firm yielding wall supporting and reinforcing the bulb.

4. A hoof-pad having individual heel-cushions, a connecting portion connecting said heel-cushions with each other at the heel of the'pad, and a central hollow bulbstarting at its rear from said connecting portion above the lower faces of said cushions, said bulbV having a marginal ridge extending around it on its front and sides adjacentto the inner contour of the shoe, and said ridge connected Witnesses.

WILLIAMy J. KENT. Witnesses:

ROBERT E. DRAKE, EDITH K. LOW. 

